To
celebrate the holidays, Ithaca day hab hosted a sing-along on
December 14. A number of consumers accompanied staff member
Steve O’Mara on holiday favorites while other consumers and
employees sang along.
The “Holiday Sing” featured newly purchased musical equipment –
keyboard, microphones, amplifier, bench, and video camera –
courtesy of a grant from the Legacy Foundation.
“These gatherings broaden our coverage of music appreciation for
consumers of all backgrounds and abilities,” said Steve. “Music
develops all the senses, and it is especially gratifying to see
consumers who are almost non-verbal pick up a microphone in an
effort to participate.”
The new equipment has become a focal point at day hab, according
to Steve: “Consumers are attracted to it – they can see, touch,
hear it. It makes for a more complete musical experience.”
August 2011
A
number of Unity House employees gathered at the Case Mansion in
Auburn to share fond memories of working there. It is the end of
an era – this fall, Unity House will move to a new facility on
Grant Avenue, vacating its original home. The agency got its
start at 108 South Street in 1977, and has maintained living
quarters for consumers with mental health issues ever since. The
staff got together on a beautiful summer day and shared snacks
and stories of working at the fabled Case Mansion.
The First Presbyterian Church owns the large house, and has
formed an ad hoc committee to discuss plans for the facility.
The mansion is on the market, and hopes are high that an outside
buyer will purchase and rehabilitate the property.
April 2011
Friends and employees of Unity House were treated to a special
performance on April 15. Direct care provider Steve O’Mara
conceived of the idea of a “Spring Sing” as a way for consumers
to express themselves through music. Steve is a former opera
singer who has performed with the Metropolitan Opera in New York
City and the Royal Opera in London, among others.
Starting with five, after three months of preparation and
increasing interest, 15 Ithaca consumers were given the
spotlight on a beautiful makeshift stage, complete with
microphone, red velvet curtains and musical accompaniment.
Talent ranged from singing, guitar and keyboard playing, and
joke telling. Performing to a full house, the consumers took the
stage one by one to show off their skills. They brought down the
house!
Watch selected clips from the video here.
March 2011
Two
Unity House foursomes participated in the 18th annual United Way
of Cayuga County miniature golf tournament on March 23. Held at
the Auburn Holiday Inn each year, about 400 golfers turn out to
support this fundraiser for the United Way. For-profit companies
are teamed with the non-profit organizations that
receive
funding from the United Way. Together, they sponsor and staff
one of 19 golf holes, provide free giveaways as golfers play
through, and have special prizes for holes-in-one. Throughout
the afternoon and evening, door prizes are given away, DJ music
plays, and there are prizes for best team name, lowest score,
and most creative golf hole.
March 2011
GRACE
House volunteers helped out with the second annual Stone Soup
event on March 20. The fundraiser took place at Auburn Public
Theatre and raised money for local food pantries. Based on the
story of a starving soldier who started making soup with a stone
but ended up getting a whole village to contribute meat and
vegetables for a hearty stew, the event raises hunger awareness
and feeds the needy. GRACE House volunteers assisted with set
up, serving soup, selling handmade items, and other jobs as
needed.
December 2010
Pet-Friendly Visit
Just
in time for the holidays, several animals visited Ithaca Day
Hab. Consumers and staff enjoyed greeting a number of dogs and
even a llama named Deacon Blue!
Staff at day hab organized the visits through Cornell
Companions. According to their website, Cornell Companions is a
pet visitation program sponsored by the College of Veterinary
Medicine at Cornell University. Cornell Companions is dedicated
to the development of the human-animal bond. Volunteers and
their pets visit people with disabilities and nursing home and
hospital patients, with the belief that animals enhance the
lives of all people. Volunteers consist of Cornell students,
faculty and staff, and individuals from the Ithaca area
community.
“Our
consumers loved it!” said Assistant Program Manager Deb Martin,
who organized the visit. “Animals are beneficial and therapeutic
to our consumers. Since many of our consumers live in pet-free
group homes, opportunities to interact with animals are limited.
All were engaged and saying positive things to staff and the
dogs.”
November 2010
Gratitude Dinner
In
celebration of all the things we have to be thankful for, Unity
House’s Mental Health Drop-In Center will be hosting a free
Gratitude Dinner the night before Thanksgiving:
Wednesday, November 24
6:00 – 9:00 pm
Calvary Food Pantry
90 Franklin Street, behind Byrne Dairy gas station
Free and open to anyone who has visited the Center at any time
in the past, and their families. Please register in advance,
either in person, email, or call 315-252-1039, so we know how
much food to prepare.
The Drop-In Center is a safe, comfortable, nurturing spot run by
people receiving mental health services for people with mental
health issues. The Center is open:
Wednesdays 6:00 – 10:00 pm
Saturdays and Sundays 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
The Gratitude Dinner is sponsored by Unity House and Calvary
Food Pantry with support from Auburn Rotary.
September 2010
Fall Beautification Days
Two
Unity House independent living alternative (IRA) homes received
extensive garden rehabilitations this fall. Unity House owns
dozens of properties spread over six counties, and it is
difficult to maintain gardens at all sites. Yet the beauty and
tranquility of a lovely garden is therapeutic for our consumers.
Collaborative beautification days took place at the Danby IRA on
September 24, and at the New Life IRA in Auburn on October 1.
Each site welcomed about 12 staff volunteers who came out to
help clear and replant a designated garden area – Unity House’s
maintenance crew had prepped each plot ahead of time. Donations
of tools, plants, weed barrier, bulbs, mulch and more were
graciously made by Home Depot and Lowe’s in Auburn, and Home
Depot in Ithaca. Staff also contributed perennials and shrubs
from their own gardens.
So many hands yielded amazing results. Within a few hours, the
gardens were transformed, and the consumers and staff at each
house have committed to help maintain them during the growing
season.
August 8, 2010
Auburn’s Great Race
For the third year in a row, Unity House sponsored a team
for Auburn’s Great Race, which took place at Emerson Park. This
year’s team was comprised of QA Specialist Molly Malone (5K
runner), Day Hab Assistant Director Jessica Janssen (bicycle),
and Director of Support Services Amber Amidon and her husband
Rich (canoe). The group participated in the short course, coming
in 25th out of 38 teams in the mixed age division, with a final
overall of 291 out of 413. They beat last year’s record,
completing the course in 1:48:39, and then stayed to enjoy the
lakeside after-party.
“We’re hoping this will become a Unity House tradition,” said
Molly. “It’s been a lot of fun!”
August 6, 2010
Annual Staff Appreciation Picnic
More
than 100 Unity House employees gathered at Myers Point Park in
Lansing to celebrate another good year with the agency. The
organizing committee planned a great outdoor event, including a
catered picnic, games, karaoke, and a “Unity House Has Talent”
show. Many staff were recognized for milestone anniversaries
with the agency.
Special thanks to the planning committee for making the annual
picnic possible: Amy Carioggia, Lisa Frank, Thia Harriett,
Pattie Park, Renee Post, Candi Saxman, Michelle Stage, Doreen
Wagner, and Judy Weimer
July 17, 2010
Finger Lakes Wine Festival
Unity
House sent 28 volunteers to the Watkins Glen International
Raceway on Saturday, July 17 to help with the 17th annual Finger
Lakes Wine Festival. More than 90 wineries from across the
Empire State were present. Volunteers worked a 4-hour shift,
then got to enjoy the fest, receiving free staff t-shirts,
tasting wines, enjoying live music and vendor booths, and some
even took pace car rides on the racetrack. The Glen rewarded
Unity House by donating nearly $700 to the agency.
June 25, 2010
Electronics Recycling Day
As part of its strategic plan implementation, Unity House’s
Technology and Infrastructure Committees recently co-sponsored
an agency-wide technology e-cycling event. Staff were asked to
round up old, broken, unused electronic equipment, cords, toner,
etc. for this green initiative.
“We didn’t have any idea what to expect,” said Technology
Committee member Mary Fishlock. “The event was very successful –
we were shocked by how much stuff was delivered on collection
day.”
Hard drives have been removed and cleaned, and the items will
now be “responsibly recycled” through Regional Recycle Computer
and Recovery of Victor, NY. The company will provide packing
boxes, which will be loaded up and taken to the plant near
Rochester for disassembly and recycling.
June 12, 2010
CASE MANSION OPEN HOUSE ON FOUNDER’S DAY
Auburn celebrates local inventor Theodore Case and being “The
Birthplace of Talking Movies” at its second annual
Founder’s Day
event on Saturday, June 12. In 1977, Unity House got its start
in the Case Mansion at 108 South Street, and still maintains a
community residence for adults with disabilities within its
walls. In partnership with the City of Auburn and the Auburn
Downtown BID, Unity House will host an open house at the Case
Mansion from 2:00 – 4:00 pm on June 12. All are welcome to walk
through the public spaces and grounds of this beautiful historic
structure. Click
HERE to learn more about the Case Mansion and
Ted Case’s groundbreaking work in putting sound on film.
May 11, 2010
A NIGHT ON BROADWAY
On April 15, Unity House consumers, staff, family, and friends
gathered at the Springside Inn in Auburn for a gala dinner
dance. This Unity House tradition was organized by Program
Managers Barb Gregg and Tammie Miner to “applaud and recognize
the consumers for the beautiful people they truly are,” said
Barb.
“Some of our consumers mentioned that they had never ridden in a
limousine and most had never had an occasion to really dress up
in formal attire or attend anything like a prom, so the idea for
a fancy dinner and dance developed,” explains Barb. “The folks
at the Springside Inn worked with us to arrange a wonderful
dinner at a cost that was affordable. We decided on a Broadway
theme since the Springside was hosting a Broadway series which
fit right in with our vision of a black tie event complete with
‘celebrities.’ The red carpet was laid, each person’s name was
placed on a star, and gold, silver and black balloons were hung
about the room. We even arranged to have our own ‘paparazzi’
take pictures as guests arrived in limos we rented for them!”
About 30 consumers attended, many accompanied by family and
friends. A number of Unity House staff joined in the festivities
as well, for a total of more than 60 guests. Limos transported
consumers from their homes to the dinner, and several Auburn
businesses assisted with evening wear, beauty services, flowers,
and music. Attendees enjoyed a delicious buffet dinner while a
slide show of activities from the past year ran in the
background.
“There were lots of oohs and ahhs, smiles, laughter and
dancing,” said Barb. “It truly was the best special event for
residential consumers that we’ve ever had.”
Special thanks to these people and local businesses that
supported the gala dinner dance:
Alliance Church thrift store (evening wear)
Hairlooms (hair and beauty services)
J & J Limousine (transportation)
Jim Van Arsdale (music)
Peter Brooks Beauty School (haircuts)
Springside Inn
Theresa Chapman (corsages and boutonnieres)
Tutor Club of Cayuga Community College (evening wear)
Wayne Fuller (music)
April 20, 2010
UNITY HOUSE MOVES INTO NEW ITHACA SPACE
Public invited to ribbon-cutting celebration at Catherwood Road
facility
Unity House of Cayuga County, Inc. announces the grand opening
of its new facility in Lansing Village Place, 15 Catherwood
Road, Ithaca. Elizabeth Werner, executive director of Unity
House, cordially invites the Ithaca community to a
ribbon-cutting ceremony and reception to celebrate the agency’s
move. The event will take place from 3:00 – 4:30 pm on Tuesday,
May 11; no reservations are necessary.
“This advantageous site will offer easy accessibility to
multiple venues of interest to our consumers – the YMCA,
restaurants, Pyramid Mall, and more,” said Werner. “Our new
location features plenty of free parking, beautiful office
suites, is on the public bus line, and best of all, provides
better service to our consumers. Significant renovations have
taken place, we are all moved in, and we invite the community to
celebrate with us.”
The move to Catherwood Road offers tremendous opportunity for
creative expansion of Unity House’s Ithaca-based programs. The
agency’s day habilitation program serves nearly 45 adults with
disabilities a day, and these new facilities offer space that is
five times larger than the former downtown facility.
“The new day habilitation site at Catherwood Road provides
much-needed additional space,” said Program Director Darlene
Podolak. “There is now room to work together in small groups or
find a quiet place to enjoy a book. The individuals who receive
our services have increased opportunity to develop and apply
their skills in an environment that can accommodate everyone’s
needs and interests. The space is beautiful and better
represents to the consumers the value that they and their
contributions have in the agency.”
April 6, 2010
MUSIC MAESTROS
Consumer Guitar Concert in Ithaca
Unity House offered guitar lessons to its Ithaca consumers this
spring through the Tompkins County Office for the Aging College
of Lifelong Learning program. Assistant Director of Residential
Services Louis Pelino taught ten participants in the 6-week
course. The group met for an hour every Tuesday on Court Street.
“This is the third year I’ve run the course,” said Louis.
“Guitar is an extremely popular instrument that many people want
to learn how to play, and the class has always had a good
turnout. Most of the participants are proud guitar owners and
musical enthusiasts. We learned about the basics: tuning, simple
chords, singing, and having a good time.”
The idea for a culminating concert came from one of the class
participants who was eager to show off the group’s talent. The
class chose songs, arranged a set list together, and performed a
4-song set at Unity House’s new day hab space on Catherwood
Road.
March 25, 2010
METRO MATTRESS DONATES BEDS FOR TOMPKINS COUNTY RESIDENTS
In response to a grant application, Metro Mattress of Syracuse
has awarded Unity House two twin bed sets for its consumers. The
sleep sets, part of the “50 Beds in 50 Days” promotion sponsored
by Metro Mattress this spring, were delivered to Unity House
apartments in Dryden and Ithaca, two of seven independent living
sites run by the agency in Tompkins County. Unity House cares
for approximately 65 adults with disabilities in the Ithaca
area. These much-needed beds included a mattress, box spring,
and steel frame.
February 25, 2010
THE BIG DIG
Consumers and staff at Auburn day hab dig out after the big
snow storm in February!
To
celebrate the holidays, Ithaca day hab hosted a sing-along on
December 14. A number of consumers accompanied staff member
Steve O’Mara on holiday favorites while other consumers and
employees sang along.
A
number of Unity House employees gathered at the Case Mansion in
Auburn to share fond memories of working there. It is the end of
an era – this fall, Unity House will move to a new facility on
Grant Avenue, vacating its original home. The agency got its
start at 108 South Street in 1977, and has maintained living
quarters for consumers with mental health issues ever since. The
staff got together on a beautiful summer day and shared snacks
and stories of working at the fabled Case Mansion.
Two
Unity House foursomes participated in the 18th annual United Way
of Cayuga County miniature golf tournament on March 23. Held at
the Auburn Holiday Inn each year, about 400 golfers turn out to
support this fundraiser for the United Way. For-profit companies
are teamed with the non-profit organizations that
receive
funding from the United Way. Together, they sponsor and staff
one of 19 golf holes, provide free giveaways as golfers play
through, and have special prizes for holes-in-one. Throughout
the afternoon and evening, door prizes are given away, DJ music
plays, and there are prizes for best team name, lowest score,
and most creative golf hole.
GRACE
House volunteers helped out with the second annual Stone Soup
event on March 20. The fundraiser took place at Auburn Public
Theatre and raised money for local food pantries. Based on the
story of a starving soldier who started making soup with a stone
but ended up getting a whole village to contribute meat and
vegetables for a hearty stew, the event raises hunger awareness
and feeds the needy. GRACE House volunteers assisted with set
up, serving soup, selling handmade items, and other jobs as
needed.
Just
in time for the holidays, several animals visited Ithaca Day
Hab. Consumers and staff enjoyed greeting a number of dogs and
even a llama named Deacon Blue!
“Our
consumers loved it!” said Assistant Program Manager Deb Martin,
who organized the visit. “Animals are beneficial and therapeutic
to our consumers. Since many of our consumers live in pet-free
group homes, opportunities to interact with animals are limited.
All were engaged and saying positive things to staff and the
dogs.”
In
celebration of all the things we have to be thankful for, Unity
House’s Mental Health Drop-In Center will be hosting a free
Gratitude Dinner the night before Thanksgiving:
Two
Unity House independent living alternative (IRA) homes received
extensive garden rehabilitations this fall. Unity House owns
dozens of properties spread over six counties, and it is
difficult to maintain gardens at all sites. Yet the beauty and
tranquility of a lovely garden is therapeutic for our consumers.
For the third year in a row, Unity House sponsored a team
for Auburn’s Great Race, which took place at Emerson Park. This
year’s team was comprised of QA Specialist Molly Malone (5K
runner), Day Hab Assistant Director Jessica Janssen (bicycle),
and Director of Support Services Amber Amidon and her husband
Rich (canoe). The group participated in the short course, coming
in 25th out of 38 teams in the mixed age division, with a final
overall of 291 out of 413. They beat last year’s record,
completing the course in 1:48:39, and then stayed to enjoy the
lakeside after-party.
More
than 100 Unity House employees gathered at Myers Point Park in
Lansing to celebrate another good year with the agency. The
organizing committee planned a great outdoor event, including a
catered picnic, games, karaoke, and a “Unity House Has Talent”
show. Many staff were recognized for milestone anniversaries
with the agency. 
Unity
House sent 28 volunteers to the Watkins Glen International
Raceway on Saturday, July 17 to help with the 17th annual Finger
Lakes Wine Festival. More than 90 wineries from across the
Empire State were present. Volunteers worked a 4-hour shift,
then got to enjoy the fest, receiving free staff t-shirts,
tasting wines, enjoying live music and vendor booths, and some
even took pace car rides on the racetrack. The Glen rewarded
Unity House by donating nearly $700 to the agency.
As part of its strategic plan implementation, Unity House’s
Technology and Infrastructure Committees recently co-sponsored
an agency-wide technology e-cycling event. Staff were asked to
round up old, broken, unused electronic equipment, cords, toner,
etc. for this green initiative.
Hard drives have been removed and cleaned, and the items will
now be “responsibly recycled” through Regional Recycle Computer
and Recovery of Victor, NY. The company will provide packing
boxes, which will be loaded up and taken to the plant near
Rochester for disassembly and recycling.
Laptop 1
Auburn celebrates local inventor Theodore Case and being “The
Birthplace of Talking Movies” at its second annual
On April 15, Unity House consumers, staff, family, and friends
gathered at the Springside Inn in Auburn for a gala dinner
dance. This Unity House tradition was organized by Program
Managers Barb Gregg and Tammie Miner to “applaud and recognize
the consumers for the beautiful people they truly are,” said
Barb.
About 30 consumers attended, many accompanied by family and
friends. A number of Unity House staff joined in the festivities
as well, for a total of more than 60 guests. Limos transported
consumers from their homes to the dinner, and several Auburn
businesses assisted with evening wear, beauty services, flowers,
and music. Attendees enjoyed a delicious buffet dinner while a
slide show of activities from the past year ran in the
background.
Special thanks to these people and local businesses that
supported the gala dinner dance:
Unity House of Cayuga County, Inc. announces the grand opening
of its new facility in Lansing Village Place, 15 Catherwood
Road, Ithaca. Elizabeth Werner, executive director of Unity
House, cordially invites the Ithaca community to a
ribbon-cutting ceremony and reception to celebrate the agency’s
move. The event will take place from 3:00 – 4:30 pm on Tuesday,
May 11; no reservations are necessary.
The move to Catherwood Road offers tremendous opportunity for
creative expansion of Unity House’s Ithaca-based programs. The
agency’s day habilitation program serves nearly 45 adults with
disabilities a day, and these new facilities offer space that is
five times larger than the former downtown facility.
Unity House offered guitar lessons to its Ithaca consumers this
spring through the Tompkins County Office for the Aging College
of Lifelong Learning program. Assistant Director of Residential
Services Louis Pelino taught ten participants in the 6-week
course. The group met for an hour every Tuesday on Court Street.
